Serials and Scenarios - Paul Robertson

Paul opted out of answering the usual dregs questions. Instead he has posed a few to us.

And he has some deep thoughts, too.

What do you think?


After reading through some of the comments already posted, I’d rather ask questions of all of you than answer questions about myself.

Where is Christian Fiction supposed to be going, and what is it, anyway? Writing the stuff is very different than reading it. There are a lot more limitations – I find that I’m very poor at creating a convincing “conversion” scene, for example. A reader would feel a plot was incomplete without it. For a different reader, the story would lose all credibility when a character drops to his knees.

I sure think Jason needs to get saved. His whole state needs for him to get saved. His whole state needs to get saved. I hope any of them do.

I know what Christian Fiction should do, or what the world needs for it to do. I live about two miles from Norris Hall on the Virginia Tech campus here in Blacksburg, VA. I have close friends who were personally touched by the shootings here last week. It’s amazing how many connections 32 people can have in a community of forty thousand – everyone knows someone who was closely affected. Everyone has questions and for many of them, an evangelism tract or a church service are not answers. What can I say to them, and how can I say it? These are not just the “unsaved”. It might have been an even bigger shock to comfortable Christians who thought they had God figured out.

My goal is to speak Christ and Truth to the church and the world. The moment of one person’s salvation doesn’t happen by itself – there will be a process, maybe years or decades, and people will be at all different stages. After salvation, the process continues. That’s where it even starts for real. I want to explore that process and illuminate God’s work in individual lives.

Thanks to everyone for their time and willingness to read “The Heir”. I hope at least some people enjoyed it! I’ve been reading the reviews. It’s helpful to see what a diversity of expectations and interests readers have.

The plan is for “Road to Nowhere” to come out next spring (2008), depending of course on Bethany’s schedule. No billionaires. Just the Board of Supervisors of a tiny county in the mountains of North Carolina and some real big issues they end up dealing with. Including an abrupt vacancy on the board itself …

God bless

- Paul Robertson

Serials and Scenarios - The Heir

Click on the book...it'll take you to Amazon and you can read a bit of Paul Robertson's novel.

(I'm getting techie aren't I? ; ) Did I ever mention the time my cousin asked me a computer question - yeah, the one in web design. Hello. This is the kid who watched me back over his tricycle. But the moment felt good!


My Review:


I can't believe a left-brained man wrote this novel. To be honest, I put it toward the bottom of my "to read" pile because it was written by a man who works with computers and teaches science.

Was I ever wrong about an assumption.

Okay, there are guy, and plenty of logical detail type things in The Heir. Cars, boats, spread sheets, stocks, big business, stuff that just doesn't appeal to my right brain, word-loving mind. But handled by Paul Robertson, these details are not boring, nor did they once trigger my gag reflex.

Great story, well told, tight writing. The meaning of life permeates through a dry wit and sarcastic first person point of view. The author's voice is a pleasant blend of John Grisham and Randy Alcorn.

All is not what it seems to be. And I found several surprises, some pleasant, some not so wonderful, both in the writing and in the plot. One of the surprises was the lack of Christianese.

The Heir veers into far-fetched a time or two, but the cynicism of the narrator and the charming relationship between him and his younger brother makes this an engaging read.


Rumor has it that I may have a few Q and A's for you to peruse tomorrow afternoon.

Serials and Scenarios ~ According to Their Deeds - P Robertson

Book Description:

A Deadly Game of Justice Versus Mercy Charles Beale lives outside the shadow of Washington, D.C. Politics and power matter only when a client crosses the Potomac to visit his Alexandria Rare Books shop.

But that all changes when a former client--a man deeply connected in the Justice Department--is found murdered after a break-in gone bad. When Charles reclaims at auction the books he'd once sold, he quickly discovers he's bought more trouble than he could have ever imagined.

Inside one volume are secrets. A collection of sins that, if revealed, could destroy reputations, careers--even lives. Charles soon learns he isn't the only who knows. Going to the police means ruining a multitude of lives. But staying silent puts a target on his shop, his wife--and himself. Charles must decide: Should one mistake really cost you everything?

If you would like to read the first chapter of According To Their Deeds, go HERE.

Click here if you want to read more about Paul and his books via the Dregs.


My Review:

When I opened Paul Robertson's latest book I wasn't sure what my final opinion would be. The characters, mainly Charles, reminded me of the type of character played by Woody Allen. Charles and his friends were a little odd, I love quirky, but these folks had to grow on me a bit. Charles, the POV character, considers books as his livelihood and his passion, after his lovely wife Dorothy, of course. Book characters, scenes, lines and titles become fodder for his many puns and descriptions.

The mystery within According to Their Deeds takes a few unexpected turns and is layered, involving past, and present, and I guess I could even say future because there are some snippets of theological conversation. Bibliophiles, especially antique/rare edition fiends and bookstore lovers should find this a satisfying read. Fans of mysteries will probably enjoy the twists. Of Robertson's three novels I'd say According to Their Deeds is my least favorite, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.

My Best of 2008 List.....

The list author says:

"I scaled back on reading this year and still managed to read and review 94 books. I also watched 42 movies (six were so bad I couldn't write a positive review).

Several categories of books, two for films:

None-Fiction that Enriched My Life or Greatly Entertained Me.
Movies that Twisted my Brain.
Movies I Loved.
New Authors (to Me) I'm Going to Stalk.
New Authors I Recommend.
Books That Made Me Think.
Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction
Downright Fun
Tried and Still True Authors"

1. Hancock (Single-Disc Rated Edition) DVD ~ Will Smith The list author says: "Charming story. Lots of fun. One of my top guilty, just-for-fun '08 movie favorites."

2. Iron Man (Single-Disc Edition) DVD ~ Robert Downey Jr. The list author says: "Gotta love a sarcastic anti-hero. One of my top '08 movie picks."

3. Fireproof DVD ~ Kirk Cameron The list author says: "A touch of cheesy, but overall impressive. There are way worse movies to invest your time in. This one could really make you stop and think. A favorite 2008 brain-twist movie."

4. Lars and the Real Girl DVD ~ Patricia Clarkson The list author says: "This may be the sweetest movie I've ever seen. Bizarre and touching. Loved it. Top movie of '08 pick."

5. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed DVD ~ Ben Stein The list author says: "Want your undies in a bunch? Look no further. Possibly the most controversial movie I've ever seen. One of my favorite Mind-Twister films of 2008."

6. Sicko (Special Edition) DVD ~ Michael Moore The list author says: "Not a new release, but it was a fascinating watch none-the-less. One of my favorite Mind-Twister films of 2008."

7. The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine The list author says: "Great ideas when you want to make some positive changes. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

8. Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight: Fifty-Two Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change by Karen Scalf Linamen The list author says: "Funny advice that covers all sorts of life changes you might want to make. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

9. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis, 2nd Edition by Sheila Lowe The list author says: "Not a new release, but fascinating. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

10. Eat This, Not That! Thousands of Simple Food Swaps that Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds--or More! by David Zinczenko The list author says: "This will mess with you. Really eye-opening. One of my best Non-Fiction that Enriched My Life picks."

11. Try Darkness (Ty Buchanan Series, Book 2) by James Scott Bell The list author says: "Bell just keeps getting better. Loved this. Better than book one. Fun, sweet, twisty. Solidly in Tried and Still True Authors category."

12. Wind River by Tom, Morrisey The list author says: "Nobody writes an outdoor adventure like Tom Morrisey. Tight and beautiful with tension that makes a story twang. Tried and Still True Author of '08. Looking forward to any '09 release."

13. Par for the Course: A Novel (Faith Words) by Ray Blackston The list author says: "Ray cracks me up. Quirky. I don't even like golf. But I loved Par. He's a Tried and Still True Author and Par lands in the Downright Fun category as well."

14. Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee The list author says: "Tried and True Author. It takes tremendous talent to write tales told by a demon and the mother of all humanity. Powerful books by a very gifted author. Havah also landed in the Books That Made Me Think long after I put it down and Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction categories."

15. The Shape of Mercy: A Novel by Susan Meissner The list author says: "Susan Meissner writes tales that transport. I recommend everything she's written. A Tried and Still True Author."

16. Symphony of Secrets: A Novel by Sharon, Hinck The list author says: "Sharon Hinck has a very distinctive and pleasant voice. She is solidly Tried and Still True."

17. Gallimore by Michelle Griep The list author says: "A solid, engaging and fabulous debut novel. Minnesota has given us some great writers, Griep is not an exception. I can't wait to see where she goes from here. A New Author I Recommend."

18. Fallen: A Novel by Matthew Raley The list author says: "Not only is Raley a New Author I Recommend, he's written a Book That Made Me Think...long after I finished. A very twisted story about church politics and humanity within the sacred realm."

19. Road to Nowhere by Paul, Robertson The list author says: "I can't believe I love a book about a road. But I do. The story still hovers months after I finished it. A Twelve Angry Men kind of story that is haunted with prejudice, selfishness and greed."

20. My Visit to Hell by Paul Thigpen The list author says: "Not amazing writing but the story is spooky and haunting. A Book That Made Me Think -- and still does."

21. My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder The list author says: "A book that charmed me from page one. And one that not only is Downright Fun...it also Made Me Think."

22. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: A Memoir of Finding Faith, Hope, and Happily Ever After by Trish Ryan The list author says: "A Memoir that entertained and challenged me. A Book That Made Me Think and was Downright Fun in the process."

23. Wounded: A Love Story by Claudia Mair Burney The list author says: "Claudia Mair Burney is an author who is Tried and Still True, writes books That Make Me Think and writes Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction. If you haven't read Christian Fiction in awhile and you always thought it was pablum. Pick up a Ms. Burney title. Dare ya."

24. Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White by Claudia Mair Burney The list author says: "Another Claudia Mair Burney turn you upside-down and shake-you novel. Everything I said about Wounded...ditto."

25. Embrace Me by Lisa Samson The list author says: "Lisa Samson has proven once again to be Tried and True. She's authored a Book That Made Me Think, and she writes Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction. Powerful book. Not pretty, but beautiful."

26. An August Adams Adventure: House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe The list author says: "Crazy story. So much fun. Downright Fun."

27. Less than Dead (Bug Man Series #4) by Tim Downs The list author says: "I am going to Stalk Tim Downs. Not in a creepy way, but as in "How have I missed this guy?" I loved the Bug Man. Downright Fun in a creepy, fascinating forensic snark-fest. Sarcasm, humor, yuck. My kind of book."

28. It's Not About Me (Second Glances Series #1) by Michelle Sutton The list author says: "Michelle Sutton has written a gritty, real, "oh my" book that is full of hope and honesty."

29. The Death and Life of Gabriel Phillips: A Novel (Faithwords) by Stephen Baldwin The list author says: "Not Your Mama's Christian Fiction for sure."

30. The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files, Book 2) by Steven, James The list author says: "Another New to Me Author I'm Going to Stalk. Great suspense, great story, great characters. Glad I stumbled across him."

31. Crazy Fool Kills Five: A Fifi Cutter Mystery by Gwen Freeman The list author says: "New Author (to Me) I'm Going to Stalk. Or at least watch for new reads by Gwen Freeman. Chick-lit with a baseball bat upside the head."